Meet Your Worcester Orthodontist

Doctors smiling together

Dr. Gregory Livanos graduated with a Bachelor of Science from Fairleigh Dickenson University in Teaneck, New Jersey. He then received his Doctorate of Dental Surgery from the Fairleigh S. Dickinson Jr. School of Dental Hospital, before completing a general practice residency at St. Clare’s Hospital in Schenectady, NY.

Dr. Livanos practiced general dentistry for six years in Saratoga Springs while also maintaining a faculty appointment at St. Clare’s Hospital. He later received his Certificate in Orthodontics at Tufts University School of Dental Medicine. As a board-certified orthodontist, he became a Diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics in 2005.

Dr. Lisa Giarrusso is affectionately known as a Triple Jumbo, a three-time graduate of Tufts University. She received her Bachelor of Science from Jackson College of Tufts in Medford.

She then moved to the Boston Campus and completed her Doctorate of Dental Medicine and finished her Certificate in Orthodontics two years later. She joined the orthodontic faculty after graduation and has always remained affiliated with Tufts.

Dr. Lisa Giarrusso taught from 1992-2008 as an assistant clinical professor of orthodontics. She achieved board-certification when she became a Diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics in 1999. She has extensive experience treating both children and adults, as well as treating numerous patients who require orthognathic surgery in combination with their orthodontics.

Why A Worcester Orthodontist?

Choosing An Orthodontist vs. A Dentist

An orthodontist is a dentist, but a dentist is not an orthodontist.

Not all dentists are orthodontists, even though every orthodontist is a dentist. Our doctors continued their formal education for two or three additional years before receiving the necessary license and certification. As orthodontist, our doctors have spent years studying nothing but how and why to move teeth. This includes what to do, how to plan, and how to execute the appropriate treatment plan.

Why does it matter if you see your Worcester orthodontist? 

Specialists like our doctors receive additional training to give them the skills needed to deal with more complex orthodontic problems. Dentists receive basic orthodontic training which allows them to perform root canals, extract wisdom teeth, and treat young children who do not need to see an orthodontist yet.

Seeing a specialist like your Worcester orthodontist may change your experience in braces by:

  • Providing additional treatment options. 
  • Giving you more efficient treatment and visits, because it is the office’s primary area of care. 
  • Knowing that you’ll receive the best possible outcome on your treatment plan, especially if you have severe bite problems that need to be addressed.
  • Personal experience treating multiple cases that share your unique concerns.
  • Being seen more quickly, as a family dentist will be focused on longer patient cases or emergencies throughout the day. 

You may think it’s easier to have your orthodontic work completed by your dentist. Convenience shouldn’t be a reason to choose a dentist over an orthodontic specialist, because you will only be stopping by your Worcester orthodontic offices every six to eight weeks.

And don’t let price be a problem either! Central Massachusetts Orthodontic Associates is proud to provide affordable treatment in the Worcester area.